The 2019 World Championship got going in Hanko, Finland, on Monday with 33 Classics on the starting line, more than double the 15 Open division Six Metres. There is a big Finnish contingent, well over half of the Classics fleet.
Two races were held on Monday and two more on Tuesday, and Lucie showed excellent speed downwind but not as much upwind. In the first race, she did better in winds as low as 9 knots, finishing 9th in class.
Steep waves built up with a short period between them as winds rose as high as 18 knots, and skipper Craig Healy observed that some of the other boats sailed higher and faster upwind in that breeze. Good boat handling around crowded marks generally allowed Lucie to make up ground in maneuvers, and she finished 14th in the second race.
Winds were lighter on Tuesday, but with big holes and some shifts that resulted in a pair of mid-fleet finishes for Lucie. According to Craig, “The team started well again, and we were able to sail own race as on Monday. The venue is well-suited to host the regatta, both on and off the water. The wind is shifty, which presents us with opportunities as the week goes on.”
Racing continues Wednesday—results here.
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